Nuts & Bolts: Seeking committee members, know your contract academic freedom and university computers, rent control ballot campaign, save the date: October 29th, higher ed supports H2820 and MTA Benefits
10/6/2025
FSU Calendar Oct 6th to 10th
Tuesday, October 7th FSU Executive Committee Meeting 1:00-2:30PM
Executive Committee meetings are open to all members in good standing. The meetings tend to be a mix of routine, keep-the-trains-running, agenda items along with more substantive discussion about the larger issues facing faculty and librarians. At tomorrow’s meeting we will be discussing an outreach plan for FSU members, developing a vision/mission statement, updated logo, Spring CLRs/stipends, update on campus union meeting with admin on Sept 11th incident and more (Zoom number: https://umassboston.zoom.us/j/94492957500)
Wednesday, October 8th UDC Pizza and Cookies 11:30AM to 1:00PM
Stop by UDC for some pizza, relax, chat with colleagues and meet new colleagues. Pick up some FSU swag – stickers, buttons and t-shirts.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, October 14th UDC Pizza and Cookies 11:30AM to 1:00PM
Tuesday, October 14th Healey Library Archives Open House 2:00 to 3:30PM
Dear Faculty and Librarians,
What a great stretch of summerlike weather. With warmer weather the next couple of days, you might be sitting outside after dark. Do look up to the sky for this week’s supermoon. Later this week you might be able to see the Draconid meteor shower.
Meeting on Sept 11th campus incident
On Friday afternoon October 3rd representatives of FSU, CSU, DCU and PSU met with Marie Bowen and Joe Berger. We raised concerns with many about communications. We offered to walk around campus with emergency personnel to look at signage, door locks, egresses, and internet dead spots.
We look forward to continuing to work with administration as we put in place processes that will ensure all community members know what to do in case of an emergency. The safety of all is paramount.
Contract Committee: Costs Related to Visa Reimbursements
Sometimes during contract negotiations both sides agree that there is a concern but are unable to come to an agreement. When this happens, a joint committee with management is formed. We did so regarding the costs faculty incur.
Contract language:
26.6.3 The parties agree to establish a labor management committee for the purpose of researching costs related to visa reimbursements for bargaining unit members. The committee shall be composed of 3 members from the Union and 3 members from the University. The committee shall meet no later than 90 days after the execution of the agreement and shall submit any joint recommendations to their respective bargaining teams by December 15, 2025, at which time the committee shall disband. The parties shall attempt to negotiate a memorandum of agreement as an extension of this collective bargaining agreement.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact us.
Know Your Contract: Academic Freedom Contract Changes
After much discussion and negotiation, the Core Bargaining Team was able to amend Article 8.2.
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Old Contract language |
New Contract Language |
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Bargaining-unit members are entitled to full academic freedom in research and in the publication of the results. They are entitled to full academic freedom in discussing their subjects in the classroom, but they should be careful not to introduce persistently, into their teaching, matters unrelated to their subject. |
Bargaining-unit members are entitled to full academic freedom in research and in the publication of the results. They are entitled to full academic freedom in in their teaching and in the classroom related to their subject as reflected in the course syllabus. |
Know Your Contract: University Computers
A new provision provides university computers to more faculty and librarians.
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Newly added contract language |
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19.4 By the end of this contract period, the university will provide computers to all tenure-track members, non-tenure-track unit members who are on Continuing Appointments, and librarians. The University will provide access to adequate office space to all unit members. |
Rent Control Ballot Question
The PSU is sponsoring informational meetings for interested students, staff and faculty about the Rent Control Ballot Campaign. We know that rising rents have created big problems for many students and many of our members. This campaign would put Rent Control on the Nov. 2026 ballot. It would cap rent increases at the rate of inflation (max 5%) and make no-fault evictions illegal. It would exempt small landlords who live in their properties of up to 4 units. The campaign needs to collect an additional 75,00 signatures by November 10th.
Informational meetings: Tuesday, October 7th 12:30PM in CC1100 and at 3:30PM in the Labor Resource Center, Wheatley-Peters 04, Room 144.
If you would like to add your signature, please contact us.
Save the Date: NO to ‘resilience’ and YES to RESISTANCE” Oct 29th 12: 00-1:30PM
While Prof. Andrew Leong (as a community lawyer) has done countless know your rights training since 2017, this gathering will offer observations, information, and examples as to how we can and should individually/collectively resist at a time when we are falling into the abyss of authoritarianism.
MTA at the State House: Higher Ed unions support H2820
Higher education union leaders have signed a letter (attached) supporting H2820 An Act Streamlining State Employee Collective Bargaining which will fund contracts within 30 days of submittal to the legislature, if the legislature has not acted. This will reduce the weeks and even months we wait until a supplemental budget is passed. Passage of this act will result in earlier contract funding and payment of raises.
MTA Benefits: 2025-2026 Giveaways – Apple Gift Card
Log into your MTA Benefits account and enter to win a $300 Apple Gift Card. Entries are from October 6th to 13th. Good luck.
Nuts & Bolts will not publish on Monday, October 13th for the University Holiday. Will return on October 20th.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coscia
FSU President
Senior Lecturer II
Political Science Department
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